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Maccarone boost for Boro

By Graeme Bailey

MIDDLESBROUGH have revealed that striker Massimo Maccarone is back in training and could be ready for action in two weeks.

The Italian star injured his ankle during a pre-season friendly at Hull City and has been forced to sit out the start of the new Premiership campaign.

It was expected that Maccarone would not be ready to play until November, but now it seems he has handed manager Steve McClaren a huge boost by returning sooner than expected.

Boro, who only recorded their first win of the season against Everton on Sunday, have struggled to find the back of the net so far this season and will be desperate to get their £8.15 million record-signing back on the pitch.

Maccarone was top-scorer last season - his first in England - and many at The Riverside had been looking forward to seeing what he would be like after a full pre-season.

Those plans were scuppered after he damaged his ankle at The KC Stadium, but now he should be back to face local rivals Newcastle United on October 18 after arriving back in England following his rehabilitation back in his homeland.